Horror novel in kids' section

HORROR STORY: Elizabeth Knox was relieved when Whitcoulls apologised for promoting her adult horror novel in their children's section.

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Whitcoulls have been left red-faced after accidentally putting a New Zealand author's violent adult horror novel in the children's section.

Wellington author Elizabeth Knox published the novel, Wake, in November. The book is aimed at an adult audience and tells the story of a fictional New Zealand settlement overwhelmed by a "mysterious mass insanity", according to the Victoria University Press description.

Whitcoulls customers took to Twitter complaining to Knox that the novel had been placed in the children and young adult sections of stores, as well as being listed as a "great gift for kids".

A Whitcoulls head office spokeswoman said the bookseller had confused Wake with Knox's young adult novel, Mortal Fire, also released this year.

"We're rectifying that immediately so it will be pulled from the young adult section and moved into our adult section," she said.

"We'll offer a full refund for anyone that feels that the book is inappropriate for the audience they've bought it for."

The blunder had affected stores throughout the country, the spokeswoman said.

Knox responded to the concerned users and attempted to contact Whitcoulls on Twitter.

"Going to have a stiff drink now," she tweeted when it had been resolved.